EDMONTON - Lars Ishimwe had a game-high 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting to lead the Alberta Golden Bears to an important 96-64 victory over the Lethbridge Pronghorns Friday night at the Saville Centre.
The win solidifies the 14-5 Golden Bears fourth place hosting position as we head into the final game of the Canada West regular season. The loss complicates the Pronghorns path to the playoffs, as they sit behind the 12th (and final playoff position) place UFV Cascades.
Ishimwe was joined by Adam Paige who had 14 and hit some big shots in the contest, while the Pronghorns were led by Angelo Mbituyima who had a team-high 15.
The first quarter was hotly contested between the squads and ended in a 19-19 deadlock. Bears fourth-year guard Lars Ishimwe led the home side with six points, including a layup near the end of the quarter that was right out of Allen Iverson's package and got the Saville faithful going. The 'Horns were paced by a phenomenal opening quarter from fourth-year guard Angelo Mbituyimana who finished with eight points and a steal.
Alberta started to pull away in the second owing to an incredibly active defensive effort. They held Lethbridge to shoot just 28% (5/18) in the quarter, and went on an impressive 9-0 run midway through the quarter to grow their halftime surplus to 11 points. Ishimwe again led the Bears with five points, while rookie Tag Layton scored a quarter-high seven for the Pronghorns. The Bears led the 'Horns 45-34 at the break.
If a game-high 11 points at the half was not enough, how about a six-straight point sequence - including an inbound steal and a sweet eurostep - to start the third quarter for Bears standout Ishimwe. He finished with a quarter-high 11, and helped Alberta take a 70-50 lead heading into the last quarter. Mbituyimana continued his solid performance for the visitors, scoring five points and keeping the Pronghorns offence moving.
The final frame featured a tenacious Bears defence that generated seven points off of five turnovers to put the visitors away. Rookie Isaac Simons led scoring in the quarter with seven points, and the Bears outscored the Pronghorns 26-14 in the fourth.
The teams return to action tomorrow night at the Saville Centre for the final regular season game for both squads.
